Climate Crisis Funding Calls: 2026/27

The UCL Grand Challenge of the Climate Crisis has opened two funding schemes for new projects to run in 2026/27 to catalyse interdisciplinary collaboration and impact across UCL: 1) the Climate Network Accelerators to establish or scale networks; and 2) the Strategic Sub-Theme Awards to advance our priority themes. 

Climate Network Accelerators

The purpose of this scheme is to invest in accelerating long-term interdisciplinary climate networks within UCL that can strengthen UCL’s capabilities in:

• accelerating research impact
• attracting funding and talent
• breaking down disciplinary siloes
• promoting knowledge exchange
• enhancing UCL’s climate crisis research visibility
• other impactful activity that would be supported effectively by a network.

Grants may be used to kick-start new networks or to enable existing networks to grow, scale-up activity, and/or become more formalised within UCL.

They should be led by a team from at least two UCL faculties or professional services offices. Networks must be open to the UCL community but may also be open to external participants (if relevant).

Up to £25,000 is available for each network

Go to the Network Accelerators SharePoint page to find out more

Climate Crisis Strategic Sub-Theme Awards

These awards fund innovative, interdisciplinary projects that address one of the Climate Crisis strategic themes by advancing new ideas, methods, or collaborations. They aim to generate meaningful impact, such as (but not limited to) shaping policy, producing new tools or knowledge, innovating, or laying the groundwork for future funding and long‑term research activity. Projects must align to one of the following themes:

• Climate & Health
• Future Food Systems
• Climate Governance
• Blue Skies Thinking (high‑risk, high‑reward ideas to tackle the climate crisis that push beyond established themes)

Up to £40,000 is available for each project

Go to the Strategic-Sub Theme Awards SharePoint page to find out more

As part of our commitment to equity and inclusion, we would particularly like to encourage applications from colleagues who identify as underrepresented groups including, but not limited to, women, BAME, LGBT+ community and disabled individuals at UCL to apply for this opportunity. We also encourage applicants to integrate EDI considerations throughout their project plans, from team composition to dissemination of results. Proposals should outline clear, measurable outcomes and demonstrate how they will contribute to a more equitable and inclusive research landscape. 

The Grand Challenges team has recently published a blog - What we’ve learnt from reviewing Grand Challenges proposals — and how this can help you - which contains tips and advice on writing a strong application. 

Who is this for? 

Projects and networks must have two lead applicants (named First Applicant and Second Applicant) from different faculties or professional services offices at UCL.

First and Second applicants must be UCL Staff

Students (including PhD) and External Partners are encouraged to join project teams as 'Additional Collaborators'.

Please Note: Applications must be made using Flexigrant®. We will not accept emailed applications.

The deadline for applications is 14 May 2026, 17.00 (BST). 

If you have any questions or require the form in an alternative format, please email Max Gillingham (max.gillingham@ucl.ac.uk) or Katherine Welch (k.welch@ucl.ac.uk).